JD(S) wades through slush of Lotus II

Party switches resorts, fearing poaching bid by BJP

The JD(S) has deputed nearly 50 of its loyal workers at the resort to keep tabs on its MLAs. At least 10 workers will be on the night beat, protecting the flock against the BJP poachers. Party State President H D Kumaraswamy makes sure that he talks to every MLAs at least once a day, sources said.

Many JD(S) legislators are insisting on visiting their family members in their native places, but the leaders are refusing to let them go. The legislators are staying in resorts for nearly a fortnight now.

Sources said superstition was one of the reasons for the JD(S) to shift its MLAs from Eagleton Resort off Bangalore-Mysore Road to Golden Palms Resort off Tumkur Road on Sunday. Party leaders believe that Golden Palms Resort brings them good luck.

The party MLAs stayed at the Golden Palms in 2006 when Kumaraswamy entered into an understanding with the BJP and formed a coalition Government.

Another version is that the party had difficulty in keeping watch on its MLAs at Eagleton as it is spread across several hundreds of acres with a lot of open space. It is also said that many of the legislators were feeling bored of staying in one place and that they wanted a change. Hence, they were moved to another resort.

‘Will go to people’

Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy vowed to expose the BJP for planning Operation Lotus II.

“The BJP is indulging in cheap politics to ensure stability. Our party will go to people’s court. People should stand against it and teach the BJP a proper lesson. We are keeping our MLAs in resort to protect them from the BJP,” he said.